Book Review with featured author: An Amish Holiday Courtship by Emma Miller

An Amish Holiday Courtship by Emma Miller

 

 

Publisher & Release: Love Inspired, December 1, 2020

Time and setting: Present Day, Amish Country

Genre: Amish Fiction

Length: 224 Pages

Heat Level: Sweet

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

She thought she knew what she wanted…

Her heart is searching for

the perfect husband this Christmas.

Ginger Stutzman has her sights set on the new Amish bachelor in town, but becoming a nanny for widower Eli Kutz’s children puts her romance plans on hold. Though it’s not the Christmas connection she expected, Ginger can’t deny the pull she feels toward Eli. But is it only the shine of the holiday season—or is a family with Eli a gift built to last?

From Harlequin Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Amish-Holiday-Courtship-Love-Inspired-ebook

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-amish-holiday-courtship-emma-miller

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/an-amish-holiday-courtship

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Emma_Miller_An_Amish_Holiday_Courtship

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55066568-an-amish-holiday-courtship

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/an-amish-holiday-courtship-by-emma-miller

 

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of An Amish Holiday Courtship by Emma Miller. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this delightful novel prior to publication. My opinions are mine alone, and no one has influenced them.

 

An Amish Holiday Courtship is a lovely Amish fiction romance with endearing characters and a satisfying plot. Ms. Miller brings her amazing understanding of Amish life to this highly enjoyable Christmas tale. The pacing of this book pulled me in from the start and kept my attention until the end.

 

Ginger Stutzman is a loveable heroine with the traditional values of an Amish young girl, ready to become a wife and mother. She sets her sights on a handsome and charming Amish man, but while he is dating her, it’s less than satisfactory because he still flirts with other girls, but she clings to her dream. She agrees to help out a widower, Eli Kutz, with his little children. As she watches his tender care toward his kinder, she longs to have that with her Amish young man. 

 

While at times I wanted to shake sense into the heroine, I could understand why Ginger fancies herself in love with boyfriend and her confused feelings toward Eli. I love how she opens her heart to Eli’s young children and her determination to do a “gut” job. I truly wanted her to find her heart’s desire, something she doesn’t understand at the start of this tale.

 

Eli is a wonderful hero. As a widower, he’s determined to raise his children and honor his late wife’s memory. When Ginger becomes his nanny, he meets the first woman he wants since he lost his wife. I ached for him when he believes he is too old for Ginger. This kind Amish man is perfect for her.

 

The romance between them grows from their mutual respect and their love for his children. Their strong faith pulls them together and gives the couple a much stronger bond than either of them had ever imagined.

 

If you enjoy Amish novels with plenty of engaging characters and a wonderful Christian message, then you will love An Amish Holiday Courtship as much as I did. Amish fiction has become my recent fascination and has me searching for new novels in this genre, whether in eBook form or audio. Happy reading!

 

Author Bio:

 

Emma Miller is a wife, mother and a grandmother who lives a quiet life in Delaware. She's the author of the Hannah's Daughter's series and is at work on her next Amish romance novel.

 

Social Media:

Website: https://emmamillernovels.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/emma-miller

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7060408.Emma_Miller

 

 

Book Review with featured authors: The Secret Christmas by Mallory Kane & Deborah Cox

The Secret Christmas by Mallory Kane 

and Deborah Cox

 

 

Publisher & Release: Tule Publishing, November 9, 2020

Time and setting:  Present Day, Christmas Valley

Genre: Holiday Romance

Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Can two childhood friends return the spirit of Christmas to this small town?

When Nicholas Frost comes back to Christmas Valley, he’s shocked. The town he fondly remembered as a Christmas wonderland is now completely barren of the season. He learns that his landlord uncle banned his business tenants—everyone in town—from openly celebrating Christmas after his wife died. When his uncle demands that he spy on the townspeople, Nick is torn. Should he choose family loyalty or his heart?

Christmas Valley restaurant owner Angela Corker isn’t happy to see Nicky Frost again. After his uncle banned Christmas, the residents have been struggling financially. So every year she puts on a “Secret Christmas” celebration for the town. Nick is beyond handsome and friendly, but can she trust him with her secret when his uncle is the town Grinch?

They both have secrets, but as they join forces to bring back the joy of Christmas, they discover so much more than they were looking for.

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Secret-Christmas-Mallory-Kane-ebook/dp/B08CGWMR3L

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-christmas-mallory-kane

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-secret-christmas-1

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Mallory_Kane_The_Secret_Christmas

 

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54571114-the-secret-christmas?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=cCU05OxCFB&rank=2

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-secret-christmas-by-mallory-kane-and-deborah-cox

 

Vikki’s Musings

 

Thanks go to the publisher and author for a complimentary copy of The Secret Christmas by Mallory Kane and Deborah Cox for the purpose of reading and sharing my opinions prior to publication. 

 

The Secret Christmas is a delightful romance with a fearless heroine determined to do what is right for her town. The hero is determined to fix the wrong his uncle has caused in the same town, but said uncle is determined to tie his hands. The pacing pulled me in from the start and kept me enmeshed until the end.

 

The romance between Angela and Nicky is built on the friendship they shared as children. Now they are adults and appear to be on different sides. The pull between them to trust the other is amazing. I truly rooted for them to find a way to find their happy ending.

 

Nick’s uncle is a broken man, blaming Christmas Valley for his late wife’s death. While he is mean-spirited, underneath he’s hurting, so even though he’s the villain in this tale, I wanted his redemption. He needed someone to teach him the true meaning of Christmas.

 

If you enjoy Christmas romances with engaging characters, one with a great message of people coming together for good, then you will love The Secret Christmas as much as I did. I have yet to read one of Mallory Kane’s books I didn’t enjoy. Whether she’s writing sweet romance or romantic suspense, I am confident I’m in for an amazing story. I’m not familiar with Deborah Cox’s stories, but I will look for her books in the future. Happy reading! 

 

Author Bios:

 

Mallory Kane: Bestselling romance author Mallory Kane has published over 40 romantic suspense titles between Harlequin Intrigue and Tule Publishing Group, and she has multiple independent projects spanning genres. Mallory loves romantic suspense with dangerous heroes and dauntless heroines, and she enjoys tossing in a bit of her medical knowledge for an extra dose of intrigue. 

Mallory taught herself to read at age three, starting a lifelong love affair with books. Her mother, a librarian, loved and respected books and taught Mallory that they were a precious resource. Her father was a brilliant storyteller. His oral histories are chronicled in such places as the Veterans' History Project at the Library of Congress. He was always her biggest fan.

When she's not writing, Mallory enjoys designing one-of-a-kind jewelry using broken vintage pieces and creating collaged greeting cards. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband, Michael, and their cats. Mallory loves hearing from her readers.

 

Deborah Cox: It all started at age thirty-eight when Deborah's life took a dramatic turn. Over the next few years, she finished her college degree, wrote and published two novels for Harper Collins, and moved to New Orleans where she lives now among a very eclectic group of friends. She shares a house with two adorable Shih-Tzus (Harry and Sally).

Deborah can't remember a time when she didn't want to be a writer, except a short period when she was ten and wanted to be a jockey (she blames Walter Farley). She won her first fiction contest at age eleven and never looked back.

When she's not writing, Deborah loves exploring New Orleans and its history, painting, reading, and photography.

 

 

Social Media:

Mallory Kane:

Website: http://mallorykane.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMalloryKane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mallorykane

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallory.kane/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mallorykanecom/_saved/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mallory-kane

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/355489.Mallory_Kane

Deborah Cox:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborahCox/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/deborah-cox-45f2f1c1-93b2-42a2-bed9-6cf234e21a9e

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/425586.Deborah_Cox

Book Reviews for 3 Christmas Tales

Three Lovely Christmas Tales

Homecoming in Christmas Falls by Ciara Knight

Publisher & Release: Hatco Publishing, October 23, 2017

Time and setting:  Present Day, Tennessee

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 166 pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Eight years after fleeing Christmas Falls because of a high school prank gone wrong, Ashley Brooks receives a mysterious letter from her mentor asking her to come home. She arrives to face all she left behind—her family, her friends, and the rich boy she’d loved who would never date the girl from the wrong side of town.

Brent Donnelly, high school jock, brainiac, and dutiful son did everything right until the day Ashley returns to Christmas Falls. With one look at the girl who got away he questions all his life choices, including following in his father’s footsteps in the family business.

Faced with a potentially devastating decline of tourism in their hometown, Brent and Ashley must work together to save the magic of their town, but when Ashley discovers he still has feelings for her best friend she must finally face the real reason she left Christmas Falls—to try to heal her broken heart.

Seven fabulous authors bring you this holiday romance series about a group of special friends returning to their hometown at the request of their high school mentor. Each book is a standalone, but read them all to fully enjoy the journey of these remarkable women and their emotional reunion with their mentor, an incredible woman who changes their lives and helps save a small town community forever.

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Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Homecoming-Christmas-Falls-Return-Book-ebook/dp/B076C8V8QK

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36413101-homecoming-in-christmas-falls

Vikki’s Musings

I always enjoy Ciara Knight’s heart-warming love stories. Homecoming in Christmas Falls is definitely that. I want to thank the author and Net-Galley for the opportunity to read this delightful tale.

This is a unique series where several authors have joined forces and each written a romance about a group of friends who made a pact as children.

Now they are all adults and come together for their beloved music teacher who is fighting a life-threatening disease.

Homecoming in Christmas Falls is the first book in this series, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The characters are real with flaws, especially the heroine, but that just makes her more endearing.

The premise of this story is intriguing, so I enjoyed the plot a great deal. If you like Christmas tales that will put joy in your heart, then you will love Homecoming in Christmas Falls. Happy reading!

Forever Yours in Christmas Falls

Publisher & Release: Hatco Publishing, October 23, 2017

Time and setting:  Present Day, Tennessee

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 164 pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Morgan Reed is excited to return to her hometown of Christmas Falls and open her beauty salon, but when she arrives at her rented business space she’s shocked to find it already occupied by Dallas Parker—her brother’s best friend, the guy she had a childhood crush on, and the one her mom blames for their family’s greatest tragedy.

With their landlord out of the country and unreachable, Morgan and Dallas must open their businesses together. But, no worries, all small towns need a combo furniture store/beauty salon, right? Ugh. As they work together, Morgan tries to keep her emotional distance but time and off-the-charts chemistry soon turn a childhood friendship into a blossoming romance.

Unfortunately, just when their relationship develops into something deeper, an unexpected crisis re-opens her family’s old wounds and the blame is on Dallas once again. Will Morgan’s sadness and fear pull them apart, or make her realize Dallas has always been her heart’s true safe harbor?

Seven fabulous authors bring you this holiday romance series about a group of special friends returning to their hometown at the request of their high school mentor. Each book is a standalone, but read them all to fully enjoy the journey of these remarkable women and their emotional reunion with their mentor, an incredible woman who changes their lives and helps save a small town community forever.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076CHRQBY/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36414838-forever-yours-in-christmas-falls

Vikki’s Musings

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Halter, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to thank the author and Net-Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this heart-warming holiday romance.

The interaction between Morgan and Dallas is great, and I truly enjoyed the story-line. The characters are real, and even though this is a short book, the character development is good. The romance is sweet, and I really rooted for them to find their happy ending.

If you are looking for a lovely holiday read, then you will enjoy Forever Yours in Christmas Falls. The lively secondary characters will steal your heart, along with the hero and heroine. Happy reading!

Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop

Publisher & Release: Harper Collins Publishing, November 5, 2017

Time and setting:  Present Day, England

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 200 pages

Heat Level: 1 flame

Rating: 4.25 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

’Tis the season for second chances…

Serena Hunter loves her new life in the sleepy Devonshire countryside! It’s a world away from her crazy past as the wife of American bad boy rock star, Ritchie Dangerfield.

Now she spends her days making delicious chocolate using milk from the local dairy and she finally feels that everything is back on track. That is, until her handsome ex-husband arrives in the village to win her back…

Away from the limelight, Serena gets to know Ritchie all over again and realizes that maybe a second chance at love is the Christmas miracle she’d been dreaming of all along?

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Christmas-Second-Chance-Chocolate-Rabbits-ebook/dp/B072S4WSJL

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35626672-christmas-at-the-second-chance-chocolate-shop

Vikki’s Musings

This is another delightful holiday romance. This is the first book I have read by Kellie Hailes, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to thank the publisher and Net-Galley for the opportunity to read this engaging story.

I always enjoy second chance romances, and this is a lovely one. The characters drew me in from the first page and kept me engaged from the first page to the last. The plot is unique, involving a rock star and his wife. She left him and returned to her hometown and opened Sweet Things, a chocolate shop.

Ritchie, the hero, finds he can’t write his music without her and comes to Rabbit Leap, hoping to find his muse. What he finds is the woman he loves. I love how he goes about winning her back. He is willing to sacrifice his music for her. The biggest reason she left him was that he kept a very big part of him concerning his past, closed up. At last, he opens up his past and why he hates Christmas.

Serena’s character is feisty and independent. She leaves Ritchie because she craves that independence. She took a chocolate-making class and it becomes her passion. Although she loves her husband, she can no longer be his eye-candy on his arm. I loved her character and could feel her pain over her decision.

I’m so glad the hero and heroine found their happy ending. The ending of this tale brought tears to my eyes. If you enjoy heart-felt holiday romances, then you will love Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop. Happy reading!

Three More Regency Christmas Tales

Happy holiday! Here are three regency Christmas romance sure to get you in the spirit of the season. I am confident you will find them as delightful as I did. Happy reading from Vikki's Musings!

Compromised for Christmas by Jane Charles

Publisher & Release Date: Night Shift Publishing, June 1, 2013

Time and setting: 1812, Paris

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length:  92 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Compromised-Christmas-Tenacious-Trents-Novella-ebook/dp/B00D5G1VMW/

FREE

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Charles, and I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting tale. I will definitely be reading books by her again. Compromised for Christmas is a moving story and pulled on my heart strings. I also listened to the audio version, which I purchased for $1.99 since I also downloaded the book for FREE!

Elizabeth Whitton receives a letter from her grandfather, the duke demanding her presence at Danby Castle for Christmas. Unfortunately, the letter is not in code, which is a big problem since she is a spy and living at Tuileries Palace as a servant. Knowing she can’t refuse the duke’s command puts her in a difficult position.

Since her family believes she is living in France with her fictitious husband, she goes to Jean Pierre with her dilemma. He is as concerned as she over the letter. When their mission becomes compromised, they have no choice but the flee for their lives.

Will this pair of spies, make out of France alive and arrive at Danby Castle in time for Christmas without giving into the overwhelming attraction between them?

This is a very fast paced story, and I became engaged in the tale from the first page. The characters are surprisingly well developed for such a short novella, and the plot is compelling. There is a great suspense scene early on in the story that almost had me biting my nails!

I do want to mention the narrator, Marian Hussey. She gives an excellent performance, reading with a great deal of emotion. She gives each character their own distinctive voice, making it easy to recognize who is speaking. I will definitely look for other recording by this talented narrator.

If you are looking for a Christmas story with plenty of action and a good romance along the way, then you will enjoy Compromised for Christmas. I know I did. Happy reading!

4 Gold Crowns

On a Cold Christmas Eve by Bethany Sefchick

Publisher & Release Date: Self-published, December 17, 2013

Time and setting: Regency England

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length:  86 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Christmas-Tales-Seldon-Park-ebook/dp/B00HET7OLS/

FREE

I am so glad I found this excellent novella by Ms. Sefchick. This is a very well-written story with a delightful ending. On a Cold Christmas Eve is FREE on Amazon, and suggest you take advantage of this and download the book for your reading pleasure.

Lady Lucy Cavendish is left stranded at an inn by her uncle and has to make her own way to the Fairhaven estate on a bitterly cold night. When she collaspes in the arms of the Duke of Enright, he knows he has to right the wrong his half-brother has perpetrated against this innocent young woman.

Can this relationship starting out of obligation possibly bring true love to Lucy and Adam, or will her evil uncle keep them apart?

For a novella, the characters are extremely well developed and the plot is believable. Even though the romance happens very fast, I could easily see the love between this enchanting couple. I loved the sexual tension between Lucy and Adam. It simmers from their first encounter and only grows stronger as the story progresses.

If you enjoy and fast-paced tale with a good deal of suspense, then you will love On a Cold Christmas Eve as much as I did. Happy reading!

4.5 Gold Crowns

A Christmas Kiss by Jess Michaels

Publisher & Release Date: The Passionate Pen, September 14, 2015

Time and setting: Regency England

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length:  44 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B015ERQAFC

FREE 

I have been a fan of Jess Michaels for a couple of years, and find her books a delight to read. While searching for Christmas stories to read this year, I found A Christmas Kiss and the book description intrigued me. On top of that, it is also a FREE read on Amazon.

For such a short novella, the characters are well-defined and the story is realistic, and it is true to the Regency setting, my personal favorite read. I particularly enjoyed the fact that Ms. Michaels didn’t attempt to have a hero and heroine––who had never met before––fall in love in a matter of days. So many times that is the case in a novella particularly, and that just isn’t believable to me. While I do believe in immediate attraction at first sight, the love takes a bit longer.

Amelia, the Countess of Blackgrove is an enchanting character, and I liked her from the first page. As the story unfolds, I became enmeshed with her immediately, feeling her betrayal acutely. I love when that happens, and it’s a sign of a very talented author, which Ms. Michaels is without a doubt.

I didn’t expect to like Stephen, the earl’s character, but he shows so much remorse over his hurtful words, I truly enjoyed this hero. He sets out to woo his lady and does it brilliantly. His thoughtfulness touched my heart.

For me, this isn’t what I normally expect in a Christmas tale. Possibly if the days where he wooed her included a descriptive scene involving decorations, it would have fit my expectations better.

Nonetheless, A Christmas Kiss is very well-written and engaged me from beginning to end, and I absolutely loved the ending. If you enjoy reunion romances with plenty of spice, then you will enjoy this charming story. Happy reading!

4.5 Gold Crowns